Resort artist gives hospital a splash of colour

A Blackpool artist has formed a new partnership with a hospital charity in the town to create a colourful entrance to its new offices.

Debby Godfrey-Brown, who owns The Oak Tree Studio, in Lytham Road, volunteered to decorate outside the new Fund-raising and Voluntary Services office on the main corridor at Blackpool Victoria Hospital – home to Blue Skies Hospitals Fund.

The area now features a woodland setting, complete with owls and hedgehogs.

It is hoped that, as well as making the department more visible within the hospital, people will use the mural to help navigate their way around the site, as it is near to where a Thomas the Tank Engine mural was once painted outside the old children’s wards.

Debby, 42, said: “I remember when Thomas was here and I used him to find my way around the hospital. As soon as I heard Blue Skies wanted a mural painting along the corridor, I knew exactly why it was needed.

“Because Blackpool is a teaching hospital, I had the idea to create a tree to signify growth and knowledge.

“There will also be clouds painted above the door to bring it back to Blue Skies, which will also be replicated inside the office.”

“It’s nice to think that people will be walking past my work every day, and using it to help them as Thomas used to help me. They will be talking about something I have created.

“Being in hospital is rarely a happy occasion, so to be able to brighten this space up a little bit can only be a good thing.”

The Oak Tree Studio, on Lytham Road, Blackpool, opened in September, and helps people who want to break into art and photography build and showcase their work.

Amanda Bennett, Head of Fundraising and Voluntary Services, said: “Working with Debby has been great for Blue Skies Hospitals Fund, and we hope we can work with her in the future on other art projects for the charity. We are so pleased Debby was able to give her time for free to create this wonderful mural.

“Since the team has moved offices into the main hospital building we’ve seen more people coming in to enquire about our services. With this new mural we hope even more people will be popping in.

“Everyone knew and loved Thomas when he was here. We hope now they will be happy with our new trees and woodland creatures.”